BAGIS, MINISTER FOR EU AFFAIRS AND CHIEF NEGOTIATOR, MEETS GARRIDO, SPAIN'S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION

Minister for EU affairs and chief negotiator Egemen Bagiş went to Madrid with the aim of attending the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and carrying out bilateral meetings. There he met with the Spanish state secretary for the European Union, Diego Lopez Garrido.

Speaking after the meeting held in the Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bagis said: "We discussed everything frankly and openly with the Spanish secretary for the European Union. Spain is a friendly country which supports Turkey's accession to EU. I am leaving Madrid with positive impressions."

As Spain will take over the rotating presidency of the EU in the first half of 2010, "opening of new chapters and Cyprus issue" were also discussed.